Have You Seen Any of These?

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, 1000 or so Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Harbour Porpoise

Probable Transient Bigg's Killer Whales chasing Pacific White Sided Dolphins around Texada Island and just before posting time, today's sighting of more probable Transients. Rounding out the Cetacean sightings, it's nice to get a report about Harbour Porpoise too. They always seem to be forgotten, yet are such a valuable indicator of our environment.
On another note; the automatic emails to subscribers is in final test stage and if all goes well, should be working by the next report.
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins BC

Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?


TRANSIENT BIGG'S KILLER WHALES
UNCONFIRMED BUT MOST LIKELY


Orca by Vancouver Island
February 12, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours

February 12:
5:00 pm: There are 4 or 5 Orca southbound along the Vancouver Island side, by the Anchor Inn in Campbell River. There is at least one big fin. I took some pictures from Quadra Island, about two miles away, but I am pretty sure the big fellow is T19b.
Actually it looks like two big fins!
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours.

February 9:
7:44 am: There are 3 Killer whales off Van Anda, Texada Island, heading south.
Geord, Texada Water Taxi / Discovery Marine Safaris

Orca by Vancouver Island
February 12, 2014
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whales and Grizzly Bear Tours

February 9:
11:45 am: Orca Network have reported a large gang of supposedly 30 Killer Whales off the south end of Hornby Island about 2 hours ago. The report said that the sea lions were all out of the water and the whales were split into two groups with long dives occurring. I bet these are Transients (Bigg's) – maybe some of the Nanaimo ones?
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions.


PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS

Note: The Orca report of February 9 off VanAnda that may have caused these Dolphins to run. SM

February 9:
8:20 am There is a massive pod of Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Albion Point, (aka Black Point)
They are moving fast. I've never seen a group that large! The water is frothing from them moving Southbound in a hurry. Most of them are closer to Texada with a couple close to the mainland side of the Strait. What a sound! I can't see them now (I was on the phone with Bill – SM) but I can still hear them. They must be by Scotch Fir Point by now – really moving!
Bill Taylor, Powell River

Pacific White Sided Dolphins from Ferry
February 9, 2014
Steve Grover, Powell River
February 9:
8:35 am: Large group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins off the North-east point of Texada Island, heading south. Hope you saw them in your area!
Laura Johnson, Powell River

February 9:
9:50 am: Pacific White Sided Dolphins have rounded the corner and are just passing the Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal (Sunshine Coast) and are heading up the inlet towards Jervis. There are hundreds and hundreds! Largest group I've ever seen. We've been watching for 10 – 15 minutes straight and they're still coming up in a steady stream. There are probably around 1000 of them.
Athena Tansky, Powell River

February 9:
Crossing on the 10 am run: As I mentioned here are a couple shots from the Queen of Chilliwack of Pacific White-sided dolphins heading towards Jervis Inlet. The larger group of about 100 animals was pretty far away and then about 20 minutes a few stragglers came by closer to the ship. It was a glorious day to be out on the water even if it was a B.C. Ferry.
Steve Grover, Powell River

Pacific White Sided Dolphins from Ferry
February 9, 2014
Steve Grover, Powell River


HARBOUR PORPOISE

February 8:
10:00 am: Two small Porpoise off Point Atkinson, in Burrard Inlet. We were bringing a boat up to Powell River.
Robert Johnson

LINKS IN THE NEWS

February 11: Sad news. A group of nine orca stranded fatally yesterday on a Southland beach in New Zealand. As there are fewer than 200 Orca living off New Zealand's coast this represents a significantly large part of the population. The Department of Conservation has removed one of the dead whales as part of their investigation into the beaching. Link to the complete story below:

Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
Call 1-877-323-9776 or Email your report.
Every sighting report is valuable!

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